Another suit filed against JSU athletics director

JACKSON (AP) — Another lawsuit has been filed against Jackson State University and its athletics director.

The latest lawsuit was filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Jackson by former JSU athletics ticket manager Annie S. Jackson. Jackson says she was fired in May 2012 in retaliation for her friendship with another former employee, Lolita Ward.

Ward previously sued the school and Athletic Director Vivian Fuller based on allegations of sexual harassment.

This is the fifth lawsuit filed on behalf of former JSU employees by attorney Rogen Chhabra.

Chhabra says he’s limited in what he can say, but says this lawsuit is similar to some of the others that allege retaliation.

JSU spokesman Eric Stringfellow has said the school denies the allegations “and will vigorously defend the university’s good name.”

Ward says Fuller subjected her to inappropriate comments, gestures and touching in 2011. The lawsuit claims Ward was fired in October 2011 after rejecting the advances.

The university has said in court documents that the EEOC investigated Ward’s allegations and found no evidence to support her claims.

But Chhabra has said it’s not unusual for the EEOC to decide not to join in a lawsuit. He said the EEOC’s findings don’t mean harassment didn’t take place.